RNs Protest Hospital Demands for Cuts in Their Rights,

Stall on Contract Talks

Registered nurses at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia will hold a vigil late Thursday afternoon to protest demands by the hospital administration for significant cuts in nurses’ legal rights and the hospital’s delays for talks on a new collective bargaining agreement.

What:           RN vigil and press conference
When:          Thursday, April 9, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., press conference 5:30 p.m.
Where:         Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, 23845 McBean Pkwy, Valencia

"The nurses are very disappointed in the hospital's demand that we surrender our civil rights to work at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital,” said RN negotiator Susan Salkeld. “This is a very punitive environment; therefore, we feel the employer's proposal impinges on our constitutional rights." 

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United represents some 650 RNs at the hospital who have been without a contract since January 22.

Hospital officials are insisting that the RNs surrender their right to report violations of employee rights, covered by federal and state laws, to appropriate public agencies.

Furthermore, the hospital has rejected nearly all proposals by the nurses to schedule new contract talks, in what the nurses view as deliberate delays to pressure the RNs into accepting the reduction of their legal rights.

The RNs are also protesting inadequate staffing that limits the ability of RNs to safely take meal and rest breaks, and wage rates that are well below the market average for comparable hospitals.